India: Coal mine crisis

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Social worker and lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj seen at her office in Bilaspur. Her organization represents the tribals whose land has been allocated illegally to the coal mining companies. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Community leaders from the village of Khodri discuss their plan of action for an upcoming public hearing, in which government officials will hear the concerns of the citizens from the villages whose land is to be taken over by the coal mining companies for their proposed expansion. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Laxmi Chauhan, a local activist, speaks to community leaders from the village of Khodri during their discussions on their plan of action for an upcoming public hearing. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Community leaders from the village of Khodri discuss their plan of action for an upcoming public hearing, in which government officials will hear the concerns of citizens from villages whose land is to be taken over by the coal mining companies for their proposed expansion. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Hira Singh Kanwar (27) from the village of Pali poses for a portrait after a community meeting in the village of Khodri. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Surajbai (80) from the village of Barkutta lost her home to coal mining operations at the Kusumunda. She poses for a photograph at site of her old home, which was destroyed. Her land is now under the proposed area of expansion. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Sarpanch (Name to be confirmed) / Chief of Pali villages which is allocated in the proposed expansion of coal mining area poses for a photograph at her home with her husband. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Villagers from the village of Pali seen at the village chief's house. The villagers plan to reject the expansion of Kusumunda coal fields. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: The Chief of Pali Village Kamala Bai, poses for a portrait at her home Near Korba, a large coal mining town. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Hari Hara Prasad Patel makes tea at his home. His ancestral home is part of the area proposed for the expansion of Gare Palma coal fields in Raigarh district. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Hari Hara Prasad Patel , an ayurvedic doctor poses for a portrait at his home. His ancestral home is part of the area proposed for expansion of Gare Palma coal fields in Raigarh district. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: A traditional village home in the Raigarh district. Families that live in these traditional mud houses have refused consent for the expansion of the Gare Palma IV coalfields,nevertheless these houses have been auctioned. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Balkumar Rathiya and his family live on the edge of Jindal open cast coal mines. The family land has been taken over by Jindal corporation. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Balkumar Rathiya and his family live on the edge of Jindal open cast coal mines. The family land has been taken over by Jindal corporation. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Kanhaiya Singh (R) and Shivpal Bhagat (L) watch the results of Delhi elections in Singh's house. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Shivpal Bhagat, a tribal community organizer from Sarasmal village has been charged with 13 cases of assault for mobilizing villagers to attend a public hearing. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Kanhaiya Singh, community leader, Sarasmal village,poses for a photograph at his home. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Raghunath Chaudhry alleges that he lost his land and son to Jindal Steel and Power Limited's land grabbing in Tamnar, Chhattisgarh Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Nurse Tarika Lakra from Tamnar lost her her land to Jindal Steel and Power Limted. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Krishnalal Sao lost his 4 acre land to JSPL ( left) and Raghunath Chaudhry (R) fromTamnar speak to AJAM. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: A sign post erected by the forest department reads - FOREST FOR NEED AND NOT FOR GREED - seen near the Hasdeo Arand forest area of the Raigarh District where large number of coal mining activities take place. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: RTI Activist Ramesh Agarwal, who was shot in his leg by the security guards of Jindal Power Limited, speaks to AJAM at his home in Raigarh. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Public express their opposition to the proposed expansion of Kusumunda coal mine sites at a public hearing meeting organized by local government officials. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Public express their opposition to the proposed expansion of Kusumunda coal mine sites at a public hearing meeting organized by local government officials. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Nirupama, a woman from the village of Barkutta expresses her opinion against the proposed expansion of Kusumunda open cast coal mine. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: A supporter for the expansion of the Kusumunda coal field speaks at the public hearing organzied by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL). Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: A supporter for the expansion of the Kusumunda coal seen at the public hearing organzied by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL). Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: General manager, mining, Sri Ranjan Prasad Sah of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) speaks at the public hearing held in Korba. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Sanjay Rathore a local public servant speaks against the expansion of Kusumunda coal mines at the public hearing. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: View of the public hearing meeting organized by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) to expand its operation at the Kusumunda open cast mines. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Public protest at the public hearing meeting organized by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) to expand its operation at the Kusumunda open cast mines. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Nirupama signs her name on the official documents after expressing her opposition to the proposed expansion of Kusumunda coal field during the public hearing meeting. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Saurabh Agrawal an activist and journalist from Raigarh, posses for a portrait at the public hearing meeting. He expressed concerns over the environmental standards not being met and lack of compensation. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: District collector Ms. Reena Babasaheb Kangale (name to be confirmed) of Korba speaks to AJAM about the public hearing meeting. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Power plants seen in Korba, a hub for coal mining and thermal power plants in Chattisgarh. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Power plants seen in Korba, a hub for coal mining, and thermal power plants in Chattisgarh. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Villagers live around Kusumunda coal field collect discarded / spilled coal for their own use. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Evening view of a village next to Kusumunda coal fields. This village is part of the area of proposed expansion. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Rail carriages carry coal from Korba, a nationwide hub for coal and thermal power plants. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: View of Jindal power plant outside of Raigarh in Chattisgarh. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: A school boy walks past the grain collected by the village co-operative. The village is part of the proposed expansion plan. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Daily life in Sarsmal village on the edge of open cast mines in Raigarh District. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Daily life in Sarsmal village on the edge of open cast mines in Raigarh District. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Women in the village of Khodri walk to the community center to attend a meeting with other villagers about the proposed expansion of coal fields. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: Local youth play cricket near the Kusumunda open cast coal field. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: A small boy who lives on the edge of Kusumunda coal field made dump trucks using clay. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: View of Kusumunda coal field in Korba. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.

Chattisgarh, India, February 2015: View of South Eastern CoalFields limited in Raigarh district. Photographs for a story on land allocation for coal mines in Chattisgarh. Modi's new government in the centre has relaxed the environmental regulations so the land can be allocated to both public and private sector companies easily. Photo by Sami Siva for Al Jazeera America.